Waist-to-side silhouettes of adult disposable absorbent articles and arrays

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, an array of packages may comprise two or more different sizes of disposable absorbent articles. The Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette of a second absorbent article may be equal to or greater than a Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette of a first absorbent article. And, an Array Average Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette of first and second packages of the array may be from about 1.7 to about 6.0.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/805,673, filed onJul. 22, 2015 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/699,123, filed onApr. 29, 2015, which claims the benefit, under 35 USC § 119(e), of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/990,358 filed on May 8, 2014,the entire disclosures of which are fully incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to disposable absorbent articles andarrays of disposable absorbent articles which are designed to fitdifferent adult body sizes, shapes and types, and as such are sized tofit a broad range of adult consumers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Waist Circumference and Side Length are illustrated in FIG. 1. Therelationship of the Waist Circumference to Side Length (WaistCircumference-to-Side Length Ratio), as illustrated in FIG. 2, is animportant product design parameter to ensure that the Relaxed SideLength of the article is not excessive nor too short. Excessive articleRelaxed Side Length can result in material showing above the top of theclothing. And too short an article Relaxed Side length can result in toolittle coverage and product gapping, all of which can have a negativeimpact on performance and discretion. A proper side length will ensurethe proper location of the product at the hip and or waist of thewearer. The Hip Circumference measurement, due to the relationship tothe prominent point of the buttocks, generally establishes the primaryanchoring point of the absorbent article as it often represents themaximum circumference around the body. This is especially true for womenwho have a more cylindrical body shape or a more apple-like body shape.In alternative embodiments the Waist Circumference measurement can bethe primary anchoring point of the absorbent article as it can representthe minimum circumference around the body especially for women who havea more hourglass body shape or a more pear-like body shape. This is afunction of fit at the minimum circumference, which means the productcircumference and as a result force at the waist would have to increaseto slide or sag due to the increased body dimension at the hip.

The Waist Width and Side Length are illustrated in FIG. 3. The BodyWaist-to-Side Silhouette, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, is correlatedwith the Waist Circumference-to-Side Length Ratio as the values of bothincrease as BMI and Waist Circumference increase. This is shown in FIGS.2, 4, and 5.

As the Waist Circumference increases with BMI, WaistCircumference-to-Side Length Ratio and Body Waist-to-Side Silhouetteboth increase. A key benefit of having the Product Waist-to-SideSilhouette closer to that of the Body Waist-to-Side Silhouette anddesigned to change accordingly with BMI and Waist Circumference is thatthe product itself more closely matches the shape of the body. Thisresults in the product being deformed to a significantly lesser degreeduring application than one that is generically designed to fit a biggerrange as illustrated by the current marketed products. It also resultsin a product fit, which is more tailored to the body shape, providingmore effective gasketing and better coverage and discretion. In fact,many of the current marketed products are designed to fit increments aslarge as 100 pounds and, as such do not provide adequate fit, gasketing,comfort and discretion across the entire range. Additionally, productdesigns which mimic the general shape of the body convey to consumers abetter, more tailored fit as the Product Waist-to-Side Silhouettes aremore similar to consumers' Body Waist-to-Side Silhouettes. The designsenabled by the present disclosure are more targeted by design, theproduct is located properly with respect to the waist and hip of thewearer and therefore provide a greater level of fit, gasketing, comfortand discretion.

Adult incontinence (“AI”) absorbent articles of the present disclosuremay be used to absorb and contain liquid and other discharges from thehuman body to prevent the body and clothing from becoming soiled. Foradults who suffer from urinary incontinence, urine voiding consists oftwo general types: stress urinary incontinence (“SUI”) and urge urinaryincontinence (“UUI”). SUI is caused by high pressure on the bladderinduced by coughing, sneezing, laughing, bending, etc., and can resultin a high flow rate though at a smaller urine volume that is associatedwith UUI. UUI can result in a full bladder release, though at a lowerflow rate than that associated with SUI.

Adult Incontinence articles come in a variety of designs, each typicallyavailable in multiple sizes, including 2, 3 and 4 size arrays. The sizeof articles of the prior art typically affects, for example, the size ofthe waist opening, the size of the openings around the thighs, and thelength or “pitch” of the article. Many of these prior art articles aredesigned to fit ranges up to 100 pounds. The prior art articles aretypically sized and sold by waist circumference dimension. The varioussizes can have a range in waist circumference of as much as 12 inchesand in some cases up to 16 inches. If a consumer selects an adultincontinence article of the prior art which is size appropriate based onthe waist circumference dimension of the wearer given the large rangesassociated with the various sizes, the thigh openings or pitch of thearticle, for instance, may be too large for proper fit on the wearer,potentially leading to slipping, sliding, sagging, drooping, or a lossof gasketing effects that are designed to inhibit leakage.Alternatively, depending on where the wearer is within the large sizerange, the thigh opening or pitch of the article may be too small forproper fit, potentially leading to wearer discomfort, skin marking ofthe wearer's skin or improper application or positioning of the articleon the wearer.

Desirably, an adult absorbent article should be designed and sized tomaintain contact with and conform as closely as possible to a wearer'sbody. Such a body-conforming design may increase the effectiveness ofthe adult absorbent article by reducing the possibility that urine, orthe like, will spread or travel along the wearer's body and leak out ofrather than be absorbed into the adult absorbent article. However,current adult absorbent articles on the market do not adequately addressbody shape or product shape and therefore do not fit a broad range ofusers adequately or provide the desired level of close fit. Typically AIpackages of adult absorbent articles are labeled with a recommendedwearer waist circumference range that the packaged article is intendedto fit. As a result, the waist circumference is often the sole criteriaused to identify the size of an AI article. The waist size does not initself adequately describe the body shape of the individual andtherefore does not help define the hip or thigh circumference nor thepitch that may be needed to provide the proper fit, comfort, coverageand gasketing of the article. This is the case even though othercharacteristics and anthropometric attributes of potential wearers (forexample, age, height, weight, thigh circumference, and rise) may varywidely within the recommended waist circumference range, and may resultin an ill-fitting article even though a wearer's waist circumferencefalls within that range. There is a need for adult absorbent articlesthat conform well to various wearers' body shapes and sizes. While thereis a wide range of body shapes and sizes among women, available productsdo not reflect this wide range; rather, absorbent articles availabletoday within a given product array tend to be scaled versions of eachother, and do not even follow the natural trend of body shape anddimensional changes across the range of consumers, i.e. smaller tolarger women as well as women of varying shape.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is on the rise globally for both men and women. Inthe U.S. alone, more than ⅓ of adult females are now considered obese(BMI>30). This has changed significantly over the past 30 years; in 1980only about 16% of U.S. adult females were obese. Larger women exhibitdifferent ratios of body anthropometrics than smaller women, i.e., allbody dimensions do not simply scale-up as women get larger. In addition,women across the range of BMI may also have very different body shapes.There is a lack of recognition and understanding of this issue bycurrent adult absorbent article manufacturers and as such consumers'needs are not being adequately met. Therefore, there is a need todevelop adult absorbent articles for a wide variety of body shapes andsizes in order to provide an improved level of fit and contact betweenthe body and the adult absorbent article to reduce the occurrenceleakage and improve the overall fit, comfort, coverage and discretion ofthe article. There is a clear need for adult absorbent articles whichare designed for variety of wearers based on their BMI and body shape.There is also a need to communicate to wearers the benefits of suchcustomized adult absorbent articles in an easy-to-understand manner(e.g., some women may not understand what BMI is or know their BMInumber), which is not off-putting (e.g., without stigmatizing orembarrassing women based on their BMI).

These are all objects of the present disclosure; embodiments of thepresent disclosure may combine various objects mentioned. A particularembodiment may, but need not, embody every object as described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows Waist Circumference and Side Length against a female bodyshape.

FIG. 2 is a chart which shows how the average ratio of WaistCircumference-to-Side Length Ratio changes as Waist Circumferenceincreases.

FIG. 3 shows Waist Width and Side Length against a female body shape.

FIG. 4 is a chart which shows how the average Body Waist-to-SideSilhouette changes as BMI increases.

FIG. 5 is a chart which shows how the average Body Waist-to-SideSilhouette changes as waist circumference increases.

FIG. 6 shows an AI pant product in its laid out, relaxed, and unfoldedstate.

FIG. 7 shows how the general female body shape changes as BMI increases.

FIG. 8 depicts the variability of female body shapes within each BMIclass.

FIG. 9 is a chart which shows examples of existing product arrays, andhow their Product Waist-to-Side Silhouettes compare to the BodyWaist-to-Side Silhouettes of the waist circumferences of the consumerseach product is targeted to fit.

FIG. 10 is a chart which shows examples of inventive product arrays, andhow their Product Waist-to-Side Silhouettes compare to the BodyWaist-to-Side Silhouettes of the waist circumferences of the consumerseach product is targeted to fit.

FIG. 11 is a chart which shows examples of inventive product arrays, andhow their Product Waist-to-Side Silhouettes compare to the BodyWaist-to-Side Silhouettes of the BMI of the consumers each product istargeted to fit.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a pant diaper with a continuous belt in thefront and back waist regions.

FIG. 13 is a partially cut away plan view of a pant diaper with a pairof flaps, wherein the wearer-facing interior of the diaper faces theviewer.

FIG. 14 is a partially cut away plan view a pant diaper with front andrear flaps, wherein the garment-facing exterior of the diaper faces theviewer.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in FIG. 12 whereinbelts connect opposing waist regions.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in FIG. 13 whereinflaps connect opposing waist regions.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in FIG. 14 whereinside seams connect the flaps and opposing waist regions.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross section view taken along line 18-18 in FIG.13 of an example of a folded outer leg cuff suitable in one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross section view of a back belt-like flapsuitable in one embodiment of the invention, taken along line 19-19 ofFIG. 12.

FIG. 20 shows Bar C (304) and Bar O (305) of the Sample Holder Apparatus

FIG. 21 shows a flat, unfolded pant.

FIG. 22 shows a pant in the testing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

“Pull-on garment” or “pant” means articles of wear which have a definedwaist opening and a pair of leg openings and which are pulled onto thebody of the wearer by inserting the legs into the leg openings andpulling the article up over the waist.

“Disposable” means garments, which are not intended to be laundered orotherwise restored or reused as a garment (i.e., they are intended to bediscarded after a single use and to be recycled, composted or otherwisedisposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). The pull-ongarment may be “absorbent” such that it absorbs and contains the variousexudates discharged from the body.

“Closed form” means opposing waist regions are joined to form acontinuous waist opening and leg openings. See FIGS. 15-17.

“Array” means a display of packages comprising disposable articles ofdifferent sizes having like article constructions (e.g., sameelastomeric materials [compositionally and/or structurally] in theflaps, graphic elements) said packages having the same brand and/orsub-brand, and said packages oriented in proximity to each other in agiven area of a retail store. An array is marketed as a line-up ofproducts normally having like packaging elements (e.g., packagingmaterial type, film, paper, dominant color, design theme, etc.) thatconvey to consumers that the different individual packages are part of alarger line-up. Arrays often have the same brand, for example, “Depend,”and same sub-brand, for example, “for Women Underwear.” A differentarray may have the brand “Depend” and the sub-brand “Silhouette ForWomen.” The differences between the “for Women Underwear” array and the“Silhouette For Women” arrays include different elastomeric materials inthe side flaps, where “for Women Underwear” comprises strands as theelastomeric material and “Silhouette For Women” comprises a filmelastomeric material.” Furthermore, the packaging is distinctlydifferent in that “for Women Underwear” is packaged in a predominatelygreen, film bag and “Silhouette For Women” is packaged in apredominately maroon box.

Further regarding “Arrays,” as another example of two separate “arrays”having the same brand, “Certainty,” one line-up has the sub-brand“Women's Underwear.” A different array may have the same brand“Certainty” and the sub-brand “Smooth Shape Briefs for Women.” Thedifferences between the “Women's Underwear” array and the “Smooth ShapeBriefs for Women” arrays include different elastomeric materials in theside flaps, where “Women's Underwear” comprises strands as theelastomeric material and “Smooth Shape Briefs for Women” comprises afilm elastomeric material.” Furthermore, the packaging is distinctlydifferent in that “Women's Underwear” is packaged in a predominatelyblue, film bag and “Smooth Shape Briefs for Women” is packaged in apredominately maroon box.

Arrays also often have the same trademarks, including trademarks of thebrand, sub-brand, and/or features and/or benefits across the line-up.

“On-line Array” means an “Array” distributed by a common on-line source.

“Waist Circumference” means the horizontal circumference of the waist atthe level of the center of the navel (omphalion). See FIG. 1.

“Waist Width” is defined as the width of the body measured horizontallyin the front of the body at the omphalion (center of navel). See FIG. 3.

“Side Length” means the vertical distance from the navel to the level ofthe hip (where the hips are defined at the maximum prominent point ofthe buttocks as seen from the side. See FIG. 3.

“Waist Circumference-to-Side Length Ratio” means the Waist Circumference(mm) divided by the Side Length (mm). See FIG. 1.

“Body Waist-to-Side Silhouette” means the Waist Width (mm) divided bythe Side Length (mm). See FIG. 3.

“Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette” means Relaxed Product Waist Width(302) (mm) divided by the Relaxed Product Side Length (303) (mm). SeeFIG. 6.

“Array Average Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette” means the averageProduct Waist-to-Side Silhouette of each size offered in a productarray. For example, the Depend Underwear for Women (Maximum Absorbency)is marketed and sold in an array of 3 sizes: Small/Medium; Large andExtra Large. The Array Average Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette is theaverage of: The Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette for size Small/Medium;the Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette for size Large; and the ProductWaist-to-Side Silhouette for size Extra Large. Table 1 shows examples ofthe Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette for some currently marketed productarrays.

“Relaxed Product Length” means the longitudinal distance between thelongitudinally distal most point in the crotch region and thelongitudinally distal most point along the front waist edge. Thelongitudinal distance is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe product. Refer to FIG. 6.

“Relaxed Product Hip Width” means the lateral distance from thelaterally distal most point of the left side edge of the product at theupper edge of the left leg opening to the laterally distal most point ofthe right side edge of the product at the upper edge of the right legopening. Refer to FIG. 6. The lateral distance is measured perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of the product.

“Relaxed Product Waist Width” means the lateral distance from the distalmost point at the right side of the front waist edge to the distal mostpoint at the left side of the front waist edge. The lateral distance ismeasured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer toFIG. 6.

“Relaxed Product Side Length” means the linear distance from the pointof intersection between the waist edge and the side edge of the productto the point of intersection between the top of the leg opening and thesame side edge of the product. The relaxed product side lengthmeasurement is the average of the measurements from the left and rightsides of the product. Refer to FIG. 6.

“Target Waist Range” means the waist range as defined on each productpackage. For example, the Depend for Women Moderate Absorbency S/Mpackage indicates a waist of 28-40 in (71-102 cm).

“Average Targeted Waist” means the average of the Target Waist Range.For example, the Depend for Women Moderate Absorbency S/M has a TargetWaist Range (as defined on its package) of 71-102 cm. The AverageTargeted Waist for this product is 86.5 cm.

Consumers who are urinary incontinent often are traumatized by thecondition. Many aspects of the condition contribute to the trauma, likethe fear of having an incontinent event in public. Even when wearing anabsorbent article, there is still the fear of leaking, and the fear ofher absorbent article being noticeable under her clothes. As suchproviding a product experience that helps normalize the condition byproviding a more underwear-like, thin and body conforming structureacross the entire BMI range is one of the objects of the presentdisclosure.

The body mass index (BMI) is a classification system for body shapesbased upon height and mass. BMI may be calculated as follows:

${BMI} = {\frac{{weight}({kg})}{{{height}(m)}^{2}} = \frac{703*{{weight}({lb})}}{{{height}({in})}^{2}}}$

The BMI comprises different classes of body mass, including: underweight(BMI<20), normal weight (BMI 20-25), overweight (BMI 25-30), obese (BMI30-40), and morbidly obese (BMI>40).

FIG. 7 illustrates how the general female body shape changes as BMIincreases. FIG. 8 illustrates a variety of specific shapes that mayexist within each BMI class: rectangle (also known as cylindrical),hourglass, pear, and apple. The higher her BMI, the further to the right(toward the apple) a women typically is on this body shape scale. Theprevalence of these shapes differs among BMI ranges, for instance,higher BMI women have a higher probability of being apple or pearshaped. Adult absorbent articles may be marketed to women of aparticular body shape, such as apple, rather than focusing on exact BMIvalues (which may be off-putting to a consumer), in order to match awearer with the article that will best fit her unique body shape orsize.

One region where the shape of the female body changes as BMI gets higheris in the Body Waist-to-Side Silhouette. The Body Waist-to-SideSilhouette gets larger on average for larger women. FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate how the Body Waist-to-Side Silhouette changes as both BMI andWaist Circumference gets larger.

It may be desirable to link the Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette to thatof the targeted consumers Body Waist-to-Side Silhouette in order toachieve a better fitting, better conforming, better gasketing product.This may increase the wearing comfort for each consumer while reducingleakage. Additionally, a product array where the Product Waist-to-SideSilhouette of each subsequently larger size follows the same generaltrend as the Body Waist-to-Side Silhouette for each subsequently largersize may also deliver a better fitting, better conforming article toeach consumer regardless of their respective BMI.

While today's AI product arrays are not targeted toward the consumer'sBMI, they are targeted toward their Waist Circumference. Table 1 detailssome of today's marketed product arrays (“comparative example arrays” or“existing product arrays”). FIG. 9 shows how the Product Waist-to-SideSilhouettes of these arrays compare to the consumers' Body Waist-to-SideSilhouettes. It can be seen that for these comparative example arrays,their Product Waist-to-Side Silhouettes not only fail to match those oftheir target consumers, but it can also be seen that the trend from sizeto size for the existing product arrays is that the ProductWaist-to-Side Silhouettes get smaller rather than larger as do the BodyWaist-to-Side Silhouettes of the consumers. The result of this mismatchis that the products provide an inferior level of fit, comfort, coverageand gasketing across much of the BMI range than products that aredesigned in line with the anthropometric measures across the same BMIrange.

TABLE 1 Examples of Product Waist-to-Side Silhouettes for ExistingProduct Arrays Array Average Minimum Maximum Average Relaxed ProductRelaxed Product Product Waist-to- Product Waist-to- Waist Waist TargetedWaist Side Length Waist Width Side Silhouette Side Silhouette Target(mm) Target (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm/mm) (mm/mm) Depend for WomenUnderwear Moderate Absorbency size S/M 710 1020 865 179 230 1.282 1.283size L 970 1270 1120 202 231 1.143 size XL 1220 1630 1425 175 249 1.423Depend Silhouette for Women Briefs Maximum Absorbency size S/M 710 1020865 164 274 1.665 1.629 size L/XL 970 1270 1120 210 335 1.592 Women'sAssurance Underwear Maximum Absorbency size S/M 710 1020 865 149 2201.470 1.316 size L 970 1270 1120 165 213 1.295 size XL 1220 1630 1425161 207 1.286 size 2XL* 1730 2030 1880 221 269 1.214 Kroger OvernightUnderwear Overnight Absorbency size S/M 710 1020 865 143 205 1.431 1.297size L 970 1270 1120 171 199 1.161 size XL 1220 1630 1425 172 224 1.299Certainty Women's Underwear Moderate Absorbency size S/M 710 1020 865137 196 1.434 1.318 size L 970 1270 1120 176 204 1.160 size XL 1220 16301425 174 237 1.360 Certainty Smooth Shape Briefs for Women MaximumAbsorbency Certainty Maximum S/M 710 1020 865 170 173 1.015 0.983Certainty Maximum L/XL 970 1270 1120 211 201 0.952 *product not shown inchart on FIG. 9.

Table 2 below illustrates several inventive arrays of 2, 3, and 4packages, whose Product Waist-to-Side Silhouettes match the trends ofthe consumers that they are targeted to fit and thereby provide betterfit & comfort while reducing the chance of leakage. These inventivearrays are provided simply as non-limiting examples. Other inventivearrays are possible within the scope of this disclosure. These inventivearrays are also shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

TABLE 2 Examples of Inventive Product Arrays Average Relaxed ProductArray Average Targeted Product Relaxed Product Waist-to- ProductWaist-to Target Waist Waist Target BMI Average Side Length Waist WidthSide Silhouette Side Silhouette Range (mm) (mm) Range Targeted BMI (mm)(mm) (mm/mm) (mm/mm) 1^(st) Inventive Array (2 package array) 1^(st)Package in Array 710-1020 865 22-32 27 152 221 1.448 1.538 2^(nd)Package in Array 970-1270 1120 31-40 35 178 289 1.628 2^(nd) InventiveArray (3 package array) 1^(st) Package in Array 710-1020 865 22-32 27 71221 3.102 4.086 2^(nd) Package in Array 970-1270 1120 31-40 35 74 2893.929 3^(rd) Package in Array 1220-1630  1425 38-51 45 71 372 5.2263^(rd) Inventive Array (4 package array) 1^(st) Package in Array560-740  650 18-23 20 119 169 1.419 2.361 2^(nd) Package in Array720-1030 875 23-32 27 135 232 1.726 3^(rd) Package in Array 1000-1350 1175 31-42 37 135 316 2.350 4^(th) Package in Array 1300-1800  155041-57 49 107 421 3.950 4^(th) Inventive Array (3 package array) 1^(st)Package in Array 710-1020 865 22-32 27 76 221 2.896 3.333 2^(nd) Packagein Array 970-1270 1120 31-40 35 99 289 2.922 3^(rd) Package in Array1220-1630  1425 38-51 45 89 372 4.181Absorbent Article

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure are generally designedand configured to manage bodily exudates such as urine, menses, feces orother vaginal discharges.

In one embodiment, an absorbent article may comprise a chassiscomprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed atleast partially between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbentchassis may comprise a waistband, leg cuffs and or elastic strands. Invarious embodiments, referring to FIG. 12, an example absorbent article10 is shown in its flat uncontracted state prior to joining thefastening components 53 a and b.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 12, one end portion of theabsorbent article 10 may be configured as a front waist region 36 andthe longitudinally opposing end portion may be configured as a backwaist region 38. An intermediate portion of the absorbent article 10extending longitudinally between the front waist region 36 and the backwaist region 38 may be configured as a crotch region 37. In oneembodiment, although not illustrated as such, the length of each of thefront waist region 36, the back waist region 38 and the crotch region 37may be about ⅓ of the length of the absorbent article 10, for example.In other embodiments, the length of each of the front waist region 36,the back waist region 38, and the crotch region 37 may have otherdimensions. In various embodiments, the absorbent article 10 may have alaterally extending front waist end edge 136 in the front waist region36 and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist endedge 138 in the back waist region 38.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 12, a chassis 100 of the absorbentarticle 10 may comprise a first longitudinally extending side edge 137 aand a laterally opposing and second longitudinally extending side edge137 b. Both of the side edges 137 may extend longitudinally between thefront waist end edge 136 and the back waist end edge 138. The chassis100 may form a portion of the laterally extending front waist end edge136 in the front waist region 36 and a portion of the longitudinallyopposing and laterally extending back waist end edge 138 in the backwaist region 38. Furthermore, the chassis 100 may comprise an interiorsurface 102, an exterior surface 104, a longitudinal axis 42, and alateral axis 44. The longitudinal axis 42 may extend through a midpointof the front waist end edge 136 and through a midpoint of the back waistend edge 138, while the lateral axis 44 may extend through a midpoint ofthe first side edge 137 a and through a midpoint of the second side edge137 b.

In various embodiments, a portion of or the whole absorbent article 10may be made to be laterally extensible. The extensibility of theabsorbent article 10 may be desirable in order to allow the absorbentarticle 10 to conform to a body of a wearer during movement by thewearer. The extensibility may also be desirable, for example, in orderto allow the caregiver to extend the front waist region 36, the backwaist region 38, the crotch region 37, and/or the chassis 100 to provideadditional body coverage for wearers of differing size, i.e., to tailorthe absorbent article 10 to the individual wearer. Such extension mayprovide the absorbent article 10 with a generally hourglass shape, solong as the crotch region 37 is extended to a relatively lesser degreethan the waist regions 36 and/or 38. This extension may also impart atailored appearance to the absorbent article 10 during use.

Any or all portions of the absorbent article may comprise abacteriophage composition as described in U.S. Ser. No. 61/931,229,titled DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLES COMPRISING BACTERIOPHAGES ANDRELATED METHODS, and filed on Jan. 24, 2014.

Topsheet

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 12 and 19, the absorbent article10 may comprise a topsheet 81. The topsheet 81 may be compliant, softfeeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin and may be elasticallystretchable in one or more directions. Further, the topsheet 81 may beliquid pervious, permitting liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runnyfeces) to penetrate through its thickness. Various topsheets may alsocomprise a hydrophilic material, for example, which is configured todraw bodily fluids into an absorbent core of the chassis 100 when thesefluids are expelled from the body. A suitable topsheet 81 may bemanufactured from a wide range of materials, such as woven and nonwovenmaterials, apertured or hydroformed thermoplastic films, aperturednonwovens, porous foams, reticulated foams, reticulated thermoplasticfilms, and/or thermoplastic scrims, for example. Suitable aperturedfilms may comprise those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,929,135,4,324,246, 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 5,006,394, 5,628,097, 5,916,661,6,545,197, and 6,107,539.

Apertured film or nonwoven topsheets typically may be pervious to bodilyexudates, yet non-absorbent, and have a reduced tendency to allow fluidsto pass back through and rewet the wearer's skin. Suitable woven andnonwoven materials may comprise natural fibers, such as, for example,wood or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers, such as, for example,polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers, or combinationsthereof. If the topsheet 81 comprises fibers, the fibers may bespunbond, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwiseprocessed, for example, as is generally known in the art.

The topsheet may comprise a skin care lotion. Examples of suitablelotions include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,607,760; 5,609,587; 5,635,191; 5,643,588; and 5,968,025, and asdescribed in U.S. Application No. 61/391,353.

In one embodiment, the topsheet may comprise graphics (e.g., 116 in FIG.15) such that depth perception is created as described in U.S. Pat. No.7,163,528.

Backsheet

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, for example, theabsorbent article 10 may comprise a backsheet 83. The backsheet 83 maybe impervious, or at least partially impervious, to fluids or bodyexudates (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces) and may bemanufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquidimpervious materials may also be used. The backsheet 83 may prevent thebody exudates or fluids absorbed and contained in an absorbent core ofthe absorbent article 10 from wetting articles which contact theabsorbent article 10, such as bedsheets, pajamas, clothes, and/orundergarments. The backsheet 83 may comprise a woven or nonwovenmaterial, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene orpolypropylene, and/or a multi-layer or composite materials comprising afilm and a nonwoven material (e.g., having an inner film layer and anouter nonwoven layer). A suitable backsheet may comprise a polyethylenefilm having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mils) to about 0.051mm (2.0 mils). Examples of polyethylene films are manufactured by ClopayCorporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation BR-120 andBR-121, and by Tredegar Film Products of Terre Haute, Ind., under thedesignation XP-39385.

One suitable material for the backsheet can be a liquid imperviousthermoplastic film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.50 mil)to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils), for example including polyethylene orpolypropylene. Typically, the backsheet can have a basis weight of fromabout 5 g/m² to about 35 g/m². The backsheet can be typically positionedadjacent the outer-facing surface of the absorbent core and can bejoined thereto. For example, the backsheet may be secured to theabsorbent core by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patternedlayer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots ofadhesive. Illustrative, but non-limiting adhesives, include adhesivesmanufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A., andmarketed as HL-1358J. An example of a suitable attachment deviceincluding an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986. Another suitable attachment device includingseveral lines of adhesive filaments swirled into a spiral pattern isillustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,911,173; 4,785,996; and 4,842,666. Alternatively, the attachmentdevice may include heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamicmechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment device orcombinations of these attachment devices.

In one embodiment, the backsheet 83 may be embossed and/ormatte-finished to provide a more cloth-like appearance. Further, thebacksheet 83 may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core of theabsorbent article 10 (i.e., the backsheet 83 is breathable) while stillpreventing, or at least inhibiting, fluids or body exudates from passingthrough the backsheet 83. In one embodiment, the size of the backsheet83 may be dictated by the size of the absorbent article 10 and thedesign or configuration of the absorbent article 10 to be formed, forexample.

Absorbent Core

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the absorbentarticle 10 may comprise an absorbent core (also referred to as an“absorbent member” or “absorbent assembly” or “absorbent structure” or“absorbent composite”) 200 that is disposed between the topsheet 81 andthe backsheet 83. The absorbent core 200 may comprise a laterallyextending front edge 236 in the front waist region 36, a longitudinallyopposing and laterally extending back edge 238 in the back waist region38, a first longitudinally extending side edge 237 a, and a laterallyopposing and second longitudinally extending side edge 237 b. Both ofthe side edges 237 may extend longitudinally between the front edge 236and the back edge 238. In one embodiment, more than one absorbent core200 or more than one absorbent core layer may be provided in anabsorbent article 10, for example. The absorbent core 200 may be anysuitable size or shape that is compatible with the absorbent article 10.Example absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core 200 of thepresent disclosure that have achieved acceptance and commercial successare described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678; 4,673,402; 4,888,231; and4,834,735.

In one embodiment, suitable absorbent cores may comprise cellulosicairfelt material. For instance, such absorbent cores may comprise lessthan about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even 1% of the cellulosic airfeltmaterial as determined by weight. Additionally, such an absorbent coremay be primarily comprised of an absorbent gelling material in amountsof at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or even about 100% asdetermined by weight. Furthermore, a portion of the absorbent core maycomprise a microfiber glue (if applicable). Such absorbent cores,microfiber glues, and absorbent gelling materials are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,599,335; 5,562,646; 5,669,894; 6,790,798; and 7,521,587 andin U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2004/0158212.

In one embodiment, the core, including multiple layers making up thecore system, may be printed and embossed as described in U.S. Pat. No.8,536,401.

In one embodiment, the core may be separable from the chassis asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,989,006; 7,381,202; 7,175,613; 7,824,386;7,766,887; and 6,989,005. In such embodiments, the measurementsdescribed in this disclosure may be made to the chassis alone or may bemade to the chassis in combination with the separable core/absorbentassembly.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article of the present disclosure, andparticularly, a portion where the absorbent member is disposed, may havea body fluid absorption rate greater than 3 g/sec according to U.S. Pat.No. 6,649,810. According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810, the expression “theportion (of the absorbent article) where the absorbent member isdisposed” is intended to mean the portion occupied by the absorbentmember when the absorbent article is flatly unfolded and seen in itsplan view.

In one embodiment, the absorbent structure may have an intake factorgreater than 3 according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,373, wherein the intakefactor is defined as the absorbent core permeability divided by thenormalized retention capacity (which is defined by the RetentionCapacity Test—also according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,373).

In one embodiment, the absorbent composite has a body fluid absorptiongreater than 75 g/100 cm², according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810.

In one embodiment, a target location of the absorbent article may have awicking value greater than 36%, according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,960.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article may have a bending stiffnessbetween 0.05-1.0 gf, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,796.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article may have a crotch fluidabsorption rate greater than 3 g/sec according to U.S. Pat. No.6,649,810. In one embodiment, a freeze-dried composite of the absorbentcomposite may have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cubiccentimeters (cc) of liquid/second at 80% composite saturation accordingto U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,934.

Leg Cuffs

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the chassis 100 of theabsorbent article 10 may comprise longitudinally extending and laterallyopposing leg cuffs 147 a and 147 b that are disposed on the interiorsurface of the chassis 100 that faces inwardly toward the wearer andcontacts the wearer. The leg cuffs 147 a and 147 b may comprise one ormore elastic gathering members disposed at or adjacent the proximal edgeof one or both of the leg cuffs 147. In addition, the elastic gatheringmembers of the leg cuff may also comprise one or more elastic strands146 disposed at or adjacent the distal edge of one or both of the legcuffs 147. The elasticized leg cuffs 147 may comprise severalembodiments for reducing the leakage of body exudates or fluids in theleg regions. The elasticized leg cuffs 147 are sometimes referred to asleg bands, barrier cuffs, elastic cuffs, or gasketing cuffs. Suitableelasticized leg cuffs 147 may comprise those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,860,003, 4,909,803, 4,695,278, 4,795,454, 4,704,115, and 4,909,803,and U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2009/0312730. The leg cuffs 147 may be formed byfolding portions of the chassis 100 laterally inward, i.e., toward thelongitudinal axis 42, to form both the respective leg cuffs 147 and theside edges 137 a and b of the chassis 100. In other embodiments, the legcuffs 147 may be formed by attaching an additional layer or layers tothe chassis 100 at or adjacent to each of the respective side edges 137a and 137 b of the chassis 100. In one embodiment, the chassis 100 mayalso comprise other elastics disposed adjacent the side edges 137 whichmay cause the article 10 to form into a “U” shape when allowed to relaxthereby pulling the interior surface 102 of the front waist region 36toward the interior surface 102 of the back waist region 38.

In one embodiment, each leg cuff 147 may comprise a proximal edge 157 aand 157 b. These edges 157 a and 157 b are positioned proximate to thelongitudinal axis 42 compared to distal edges 139 a and 139 b. The legcuffs 147 may overlap the absorbent core 200, i.e., the proximal edges157 a and 157 b lie laterally inward of the respective side edges 237 aand 237 b of the absorbent core 200. Such an overlapped configurationmay be desirable in order to impart a more finished appearance to theabsorbent article 10 than that imparted by a non-overlappedconfiguration. In other embodiments, the leg cuffs 147 may not overlapthe absorbent core 200.

In one embodiment, each leg cuff 147 may be attached to the interiorsurface 102 of the chassis 100 in a leg cuff attachment zone (not shown)adjacent to the front waist end edge 136 and in a longitudinallyopposing leg cuff attachment zone (not shown) adjacent to the back waistend edge 138. In one embodiment, between the leg cuff attachment zones,the proximal edge 157 of the leg cuff 147 remains free, i.e., notattached to the interior surface 102 of the chassis 100 or to theabsorbent core 200. Also, between the longitudinally opposing leg cuffattachment zones, each leg cuff 147 may comprise one or more(specifically including one, two, three, or four elastic strands per legcuff 147) longitudinally extensible cuff elastic gathering members 159that may be disposed at or adjacent to the proximal edge 157 of the legcuff 147 by any suitable methods. Each of such cuff elastic gatheringmembers 159 may be attached over the leg cuff's entire length or overonly a portion of the leg cuff's length. For example, such cuff elasticgathering members 159 may be attached only at or near the leg cuff'slongitudinally opposing ends and may be unattached at the middle of theleg cuff's length. Such cuff elastic gathering members 159 may bedisposed in the crotch region 37 and may extend into one or both of thefront waist region 36 and the back waist region 38. For example, anelastic gathering member 159 may be attached at or adjacent to theproximal edge 157 of each of the leg cuffs 147 and extends into both thefront waist region 36 and the back waist region 38.

In various embodiments, each cuff elastic gathering member 159 may beenclosed inside a folded hem for example. In various embodiments, thecuff elastic gathering members 159 may be sandwiched between two layersforming the leg cuff 147, by two layers of the chassis 100, or may beattached on a surface of the chassis 100 or the leg cuff 147 and remainexposed.

In one embodiment, when stretched, the cuff elastic gathering member 159disposed adjacent to each leg cuff's proximal edge 157 allows the legcuff proximal edge 157 to extend to the flat uncontracted length of thechassis 100, e.g., the length of the chassis 100. When allowed to relax,the cuff elastic gathering member 159 contracts to pull the front waistregion 36 and the back waist region 38 toward each other and, thereby,bend the article 10 into a “U” shape in which the interior of the “U”shape may be formed by the portions of the article 10 that are intendedto be placed toward the body of the wearer (i.e., interior surface 102).Because each of the proximal edges 157 remains free between thelongitudinally oriented leg cuff attachment zones, the contractive forceof the elastic gathering member 159 may lift the proximal edge 157 ofthe leg cuff 147 away from the interior surface 102 of the chassis 100.This lifting of the proximal edges 157 when the article 10 is in therelaxed condition lifts the leg cuffs 147 into a position to serve asside barriers to prevent, or at least inhibit, leakage of bodilyexudates.

Waistband

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 14, the article 10 may comprise anelasticized waistband 112 a and b. The elasticized waistband may provideimproved fit and containment and may be configured to elastically expandand contract laterally to dynamically fit a wearer's waist. Theelasticized waistband may extend longitudinally outwardly from the waistedge of the absorbent article 10 toward the waist edge of the absorbentcore 200. In one embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may have twoelasticized waistbands, one positioned in the back waist region 38 andone positioned in the front waist region 36, although other pantembodiments may be constructed with a single elasticized waistband. Theelasticized waistband may be constructed in a number of differentconfigurations including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,515,595 and5,151,092.

In one embodiment, the elasticized waistbands may comprise materialsthat have been “prestrained” or “mechanically prestrained” (i.e.,subjected to some degree of localized pattern mechanical stretching topermanently elongate the material). The materials may be prestrainedusing suitable deep embossing techniques. In other embodiments, thematerials may be prestrained by directing the material through anincremental mechanical stretching system as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,330,458. The materials may then be allowed to return to theirsubstantially untensioned condition, thus forming a zero strain stretchmaterial that is extensible, at least up to the point of initialstretching. Examples of zero strain materials are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 2,075,189, 3,025,199, 4,107,364, 4,209,563, 4,834,741, and5,151,092.

Flaps

The flaps 189 (a-d) may be discrete from or integral with the chassis100. A discrete flap is formed as separate element, which is joined tothe chassis 100. In some embodiments, this includes a plurality offlaps, e.g. 2 or 4 (often referred to as ear panels or side flaps) beingjoined to the side edges 137 a and b of the chassis in the front and/orrear waist regions 36 and 38 (see FIGS. 12-17). In other embodimentsthis may include a front and/or back belt-like flaps (“belts”) beingjoined across the front and back (or rear) waist regions of the chassis100, at least across end edges of the chassis 136 and 138 (see FIGS. 12and 19). In some embodiments the waistbands 112 can overlap the flaps tocreate a continuous belt-like structure (see FIG. 14).

The belt-like flaps and may comprise an inner nonwoven layer and anouter nonwoven layer and elastics there between. The inner and outernonwoven layers may be joined using adhesive or thermoplastic bonds.Various suitable belt-like flap configurations can be found in U.S. Pub.No. 2013-0211363.

An integral flap is a portion, one or more layers, of the chassis thatprojects laterally outward from the longitudinal edge. The integral flapmay be formed by cutting the chassis to include the shape of the flapprojection.

While many of the embodiments illustrated in this application havingbelt-like flaps are pant articles, taped articles may have belt-likeflaps disposed in one or both waist regions as well.

The structure of flaps play an important role in the functionality ofthe absorbent article and are fundamentally different than the elasticsused in underwear. As mentioned above, incontinence events, such as SUIand UUI, can result in a high flow rate and/or a full bladder release.The amounts of urine expelled during the incontinence events can varywildly given the type of urinary incontinence as well as othercircumstances such as time since last bathroom visit, amount of fluidintake, day or night, etc. Loadings can range from as low as a few dropsof urine to loadings as high as 600 mls. It is not unusual to havesingle loadings as high as 300, 400 and even 500 mls. These levels ofloading present a significant downward force associated with the loadingwhich can be a pound or more. This downward force must be compensatedfor by the absorbent article chassis in order to minimize sagging,gapping and leakage. In order to sustain the fit of the article evenafter loading the article comprises elastomeric element(s) 146,including films and/or strands) that are disposed proximate to and alongthe side seams 280 a and b (see, for example, FIG. 15, where theelastomeric elements 146 terminate proximate to and along the length ofthe seams 280 a and b) of the article and extend laterally from one sidetoward the other. These elastomeric element(s) should create a normalforce against the body sufficient to anchor the article. The location ofthe elastomeric element(s), as well as the forces exerted by theelastomeric element(s) can be varied to ensure proper anchoring at thehips and along the body specifically across the front waist region andin the back waist region. One form of anchoring beneficial forsustaining the fit of a loaded article is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,358,500 Absorbent Articles Providing Sustained Dynamic Fit issued Oct.25, 1994 to LaVon, et al. It should also be noted that regular underwearwith elastic along the waist edge and leg edges would not typicallyprovide sufficient support to sustain the fit of the underwear if aweight of 300-600 grams was applied to the crotch region of theunderwear.

Fastening System

The absorbent article may also include a fastening system. Whenfastened, the fastening system interconnects the front waist region 36and the rear waist region 38 resulting in a waist circumference that mayencircle the wearer during wear of the absorbent article 10. This may beaccomplished by flaps 189 a and b in the back waist regioninterconnecting with flaps 189 c and d in the front waist region or byflaps in the back waist region interconnecting with the chassis 100 inthe front waist region. The fastening system may comprises a fastener 53a and b such as tape tabs, hook and loop fastening components,interlocking fasteners such as tabs & slots, buckles, buttons, snaps,and/or hermaphroditic fastening components, although any other knownfastening means are generally acceptable. The fasteners may releasablyengage with a landing zone 118, which may be a woven or nonwoven. Someexemplary surface fastening systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,848,594; 4,662,875; 4,846,815; 4,894,060; 4,946,527; 5,151,092; and5,221,274. An exemplary interlocking fastening system is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,432,098. The fastening system may also provide a meansfor holding the article in a disposal configuration as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,963,140. The fastening system may also include primary andsecondary fastening systems, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,622.The fastening system may be constructed to reduce shifting of overlappedportions or to improve fit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,436;5,499,978; 5,507,736; and 5,591,152.

Identical or Substantially Identical Chassis

As disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. 2013-0211355, it may be desirable to offeran array of packages for fitting different sized wearers, but comprisingidentical or substantially identical chassis. For instance, an array maycomprise a first package comprising a first size of absorbent articlesand a second package may comprise a second size of absorbent articles,where the first and second packages comprise identical or substantiallyidentical chassis as described in U.S. Pub. No. 2013-0211355. Moreparticularly, the first package may comprise a first chassis and thesecond package may comprise a second chassis, where each of the firstand second chassis comprise the same dimensions of one or more of: corewidth at the lateral centerline, core width at one of the front or rearcore end, a distance from a left outer cuff distal edge to a right outercuff distal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff distal edge to aleft outer cuff distal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff proximaledge to a right inner cuff proximal edge, a distance from a left innercuff proximal edge to a left outer cuff distal edge, a free height ofthe inner cuff, inner cuff hem fold width, inner cuff elastics length,outer cuff elastics length, core length, and backsheet width.

Further, each of the first and second chassis may comprise identicalchemical compositions of one or more of a topsheet, backsheet film,backsheet nonwoven, core super absorbent polymers, core pulp, corenonwoven, core tissue, leg cuff film, leg cuff nonwoven, super absorbentpolymer adhesive, core nonwoven adhesive, leg cuff elastic adhesive, andbacksheet nonwoven/film adhesive.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise the same basisweight of one or more of the topsheet, backsheet film, backsheetnonwoven, core super absorbent polymers, core pulp, leg cuff nonwoven,leg cuff film, super absorbent polymer adhesive, leg cuff adhesive, andbacksheet nonwoven/film adhesive.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise compositionallyidentical core super absorbent polymers. The first and second chassismay have identical component cross sectional order and disposition in atleast one of the front waist region, back waist region, and crotchregion. The inner leg cuffs of the first and second chassis may becomposed of the compositionally identical materials.

And, the core adhesives of the first and second chassis may be the sameadhesive(s). The first and second chassis may comprise core superabsorbent polymers that are in the same chemical class and subclass.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise first and secondwetness indicators, respectively, and wherein the first and secondwetness indicators are compositionally identical.

Further, the inner leg cuffs of the first and second chassis may haveidentical component cross sectional order and disposition in at leastone of the front waist region, back waist region, and crotch region. Thedistance from the left outer cuff distal edge to a right outer cuffdistal edge may the same. The distance from the left inner cuff proximaledge to left outer cuff distal edge may be the same. The distance fromthe left inner cuff proximal edge to the right inner cuff proximal edgeis the same. The lengths of the inner and outer cuffs are the same.

In some embodiments, different size offerings in an array may haveidentical or substantially identical chassis as the flaps or belts maybe used to enable the absorbent article to fit different sized wearers.For example, first and second absorbent articles may have identicalchassis (compositionally, dimensionally, cross-sectionally), but thefirst article may have a different length due to disposition of thebelts, such that the first article may be targeted to fit a smallerwearer than the second article. As a second example, first and secondabsorbent articles may have identical chassis (compositionally,dimensionally, cross-sectionally), but the first article may have adifferent length and/or width due to the size of the belts, such thatthe first article may be targeted to fit a smaller wearer than thesecond article.

In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may haveidentical chassis compositionally, but not dimensionally, and notcross-sectionally. In some embodiments, first and second absorbentarticles may have identical chassis dimensionally, but notcompositionally, and not cross-sectionally. In some embodiments, firstand second absorbent articles may have identical chassiscross-sectionally, but not dimensionally, and not compositionally. Instill other embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may havetwo, but not three of (1) compositionally, (2) dimensionally, and (3)cross-sectionally identical chassis.

Test Methods

Product Measurement Preparation

All measurements are conducted at 22° C.+/−2° and 50% RH+/−20%.

Purpose

This method is used to prepare pant type products for subsequentdimensional measurement. The method provides a consistent means ofopening a product that has been removed from a bag. This method isapplicable to all forms of pant products. A constant rate of extensiontensile testing machine with computer interface is used.

A load cell is chosen so that the load cell capacity ensures accuracy ofa 5N load to within 0.1N.

Sample Holder Apparatus

“C” (304) and “O” (305) Bar attachments each with a rod radius of 9.50mm that extend longer than the length of the longest side seam. Refer toFIG. 20. The bars are mounted horizontally in the tensile tester withtheir longitudinal axes in the same vertical plane and with upper barmounted directly above the lower bar.

Equipment Set Up

Calibrate tensile tester equipment according to the instrumentmanufacturer's recommendations.

The initial gauge length is determined by removing 10 sample productsfrom the bag, unfolding the pant products (307) and laying them flat asillustrated in FIG. 21, below and measuring the distance between thesides of the pant at the waist as shown (306). The average of the waistmeasurement will be used as the initial gauge length for the specificset of specimens. The initial gauge length is the distance from theuppermost edge of the upper bar to the lowermost edge of the lower bar.

Apply the whole product (307) to the bars as shown in FIG. 22 whileminimizing manipulation of the specimen.

Pull Sample to 5N Force then hold for 10 seconds. Return to initialgauge length.

Crosshead Speed=254.0 mm/min, Data acquisition rate=50 Hz.

Cycles=1

Remove the specimen from the bars while minimizing manipulation. Lay thespecimen flat with the front side facing upward as shown in FIG. 6.

Repeat for all 10 specimens

Physical Measurements

Each of the measurements below is to be conducted on 10 separate likespecimens and the average of the 10 separate like specimens isconsidered to be the measurement for that specific specimen set.

Relaxed Product Length (300)

Relaxed Product Length is the longitudinal distance between thelongitudinally distal most point in the crotch region and thelongitudinally distal most point along the front waist edge. Thelongitudinal distance is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe product. Refer to FIG. 6.

Relaxed Product Hip Width (301)

Relaxed Product Hip Width is the lateral distance from the laterallydistal most point of the left side edge of the product at the upper edgeof the left leg opening to the laterally distal most point of the rightside edge of the product at the upper edge of the right leg opening.Refer to FIG. 6. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the product.

Relaxed Product Waist Width (302)

Relaxed Product Waist Width is the lateral distance from the distal mostpoint at the right side of the front waist edge to the distal most pointat the left side of the front waist edge. The lateral distance ismeasured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer toFIG. 6.

Relaxed Product Side Length (303)

Relaxed Product Side Length is the linear distance from the point ofintersection between the waist edge and the side edge of the product tothe point of intersection between the top of the leg opening and thesame side edge of the product. The relaxed product side lengthmeasurement is the average of the measurements from the left and rightsides of the product. Refer to FIG. 6.

Each of the measurements above is recorded to within +/−1.0 mm

What is claimed is:
 1. An array of packages comprising two or moredifferent sizes of disposable absorbent articles, the array comprising:a first package comprising a first disposable absorbent article, thefirst absorbent article being a first size and in a closed form; asecond package comprising a second disposable absorbent article, thesecond absorbent article being a second size and in a closed form;wherein each of the first and second disposable absorbent articlescomprise a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core, a pair of sideseams, front and back belts, and chassis; wherein each of the frontbelts comprise a first end edge and a second end edge and a folded edgethat forms a portion of the waist opening of each of the absorbentarticles, and wherein the first end edge of each of the front belts isdisposed longitudinally outboard of the second end edge of each of thefront belts and longitudinally inboard of the folded edge of each of thefront belts; wherein the second end edge of the each of the front beltsoverlaps the chassis from the first side edge of the chassis to thesecond side edge of the chassis and is joined to an exterior surface ofthe chassis; wherein each of the back belts comprise a first end edgeand a second end edge and a folded edge that forms a portion of thewaist opening of each of the absorbent articles, and wherein the firstend edge of each of the back belts is disposed longitudinally outboardof the second end edge of each of the back belts and longitudinallyinboard of the folded edge of each of the back belts; wherein the foldededges of the front and back belts continuously form the waist opening;wherein the second end edge of each of the back belts overlaps thechassis from the first side edge of the chassis to the second side edgeof the chassis and is joined to an exterior surface of the chassis;wherein the second size is larger than the first size; wherein thesecond absorbent article has one or more of: (a) a larger RelaxedProduct Side Length than the first absorbent article; and (b) a largerRelaxed Product Waist Width than the first absorbent article; wherein aProduct Waist-to-Side Silhouette of the second absorbent article isequal to or greater than a Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette of the firstabsorbent article; and wherein the first package and the second packageare in the same array.
 2. The array of packages of claim 1, wherein thearray further comprises a third package comprising a third disposableabsorbent article, wherein an Array Average Product Waist-to-SideSilhouette of the first, second, and third packages is from about 1.7 toabout 4.0.
 3. The array of packages of claim 2, wherein the first andsecond absorbent articles of the first and second packages comprise atleast substantially identical chassis with regard to chemicalcomposition.
 4. The array of packages of claim 2, wherein an ArrayAverage Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette of the first and secondpackages is from about 1.7 and 3.0.
 5. The array of packages of claim 1,wherein the array further comprises a third package comprising a thirddisposable absorbent article, wherein the third absorbent article hasone or more of: (a) a larger Relaxed Product Side Length than the firstabsorbent article; and (b) a larger Relaxed Product Waist Width than thefirst absorbent article; wherein the third package has a ProductWaist-to-Side Silhouette equal to or greater than a ProductWaist-to-Side Silhouette of at least one of the first and secondabsorbent articles.
 6. The array of packages of claim 5, wherein thethird package has a Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette is greater than aProduct Waist-to-Side Silhouette of each of the first and secondabsorbent articles.
 7. The array of packages of claim 5, wherein thethird package has a Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette is greater than aProduct Waist-to-Side Silhouette of the first absorbent article, butless than the and second absorbent article.
 8. The array of packages ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second absorbent articles of the firstand second packages comprise chassis having identical cross-sectionaldispositions in at least one of a front, back, or crotch region.
 9. Thearray of packages of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first andsecond pair of side seams are refastenably engaged.
 10. The array ofpackages of claim 1, wherein an Array Average Product Waist-to-SideSilhouette of the first and second packages is from about 1.7 and 4.0.11. The array of packages of claim 1, wherein the array of packages isan On-Line Array.
 12. An adult incontinence disposable absorbent articlehaving a Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette from 1.7 to about 5.0, whereinthe adult incontinence disposable absorbent article is in closed form;and wherein the adult incontinence disposable absorbent articlecomprises a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core, a front belt, anda back belt, wherein the front belt and the back belt are joined at apair of side seams to form a waist opening; and wherein each of thebelts of the adult incontinence disposable absorbent article comprises afolded edge that extends longitudinally outboard of the absorbent core,wherein the folded edges of the front and back belts of the adultincontinence disposable absorbent article continuously form the waistopening of the adult incontinence disposable absorbent article.
 13. Theabsorbent article of claim 12 having a Relaxed Product Length is atleast about 640 mm.
 14. The absorbent article of claim 12 having aRelaxed Product Length is at least about 500 mm.
 15. The absorbentarticle of claim 12 having a Relaxed Product Length is at least about380 mm.
 16. The absorbent article of claim 12 having a Relaxed ProductLength is at least about 250 mm.
 17. An array of packages comprising twoor more different sizes of disposable absorbent articles, the arraycomprising: at least two packages; wherein an Array Average ProductWaist-to-Side Silhouette of the at least two packages is from about 1.7to about 4.0; wherein the at least two packages comprise the same brandname and/or sub-brand name; wherein the at least two packages compriseadult incontinence disposable absorbent articles in closed form; andwherein each adult incontinence disposable absorbent article comprises atopsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core, a front belt, and a back belt,wherein the front belt and the back belt are joined at a pair of sideseams to form a waist opening; and wherein each of the belts of eachadult incontinence disposable absorbent article comprise a folded edgethat extends longitudinally outboard of the absorbent core, wherein thefolded edges of the front and back belts of each adult incontinencedisposable absorbent article continuously form the waist opening of eachadult incontinence disposable absorbent article.
 18. The array ofpackages of claim 17, wherein the array further comprises a thirdpackage comprising a third disposable absorbent article, wherein anArray Average Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette of the first, second, andthird packages is from about 1.7 to about 4.0.
 19. The array of packagesof claim 18, wherein the array further comprises a fourth packagecomprising a fourth disposable absorbent article, wherein an ArrayAverage Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette of the first, second, third,and fourth packages is from about 1.7 to about 4.0.
 20. An On-Line Arrayof packages comprising two or more different sizes of disposableabsorbent articles, the On-Line Array comprising: an on-line offering ofa first package comprising a first disposable absorbent article by afirst source, the first absorbent article comprising a first topsheet, afirst backsheet, a first absorbent core, a front belt, and a back belt,wherein the front belt and the back belt are joined at a first pair ofside seams to form a waist opening, the first absorbent article being afirst size and in closed form; an on-line offering of a second packagecomprising a second disposable absorbent article by the first source,the second absorbent article comprising a second topsheet, a secondbacksheet, a second absorbent core, a front belt, and a back belt,wherein the front belt and the back belt are joined at a second pair ofside seams to form a waist opening, the second absorbent article being asecond size and in closed form; wherein the second absorbent article hasone or more of: (a) a larger Relaxed Product Side Length than the firstabsorbent article; and (b) a larger Relaxed Product Waist Width than thefirst absorbent article; wherein a Product Waist-to-Side Silhouette ofthe second absorbent article is equal to or greater than a ProductWaist-to-Side Silhouette of the first absorbent article; and wherein thefirst and second packages comprise the same brand name and/or sub-brandname; and wherein each of the front and back belts of the first andsecond absorbent articles comprise a folded edge that extendslongitudinally outboard of the first and second absorbent cores,respectively, wherein the folded edges of the front and back belts ofthe first absorbent article continuously form the waist opening of thefirst absorbent article and the folded edges of the front and back beltsof the second absorbent article continuously form the waist opening ofthe second absorbent article.